Looking for Good Wrap/sling for Petite Mom

A friend of mine experimented with different wraps and slings when her child was born - and finally started making them! She is very petite and so will understand the fit. This is the link to her website -

http://web.mac.com/dichsen/Site_2/Welcome.html

Hope this is helpful.

C.

I recomend the Moby Wrap to everyone. I LOVED mine, you can wrap it to fit so size is not an issue. mobywrap.com

I was given a Peanut sling from a very petite friend of mine--she even had another 2" sewn up to make it smaller (which I removed as I'm bigger). She LOVED it and used it for 2 kids, and it's still in great condition for me to use it.

Hi E.,
I used Maya Wraps. They have a bunch of different kinds; a piece of fabric that you tie in different ways, a piece of fabric with a ring that the fabric just pulls through (I used this one, very handy) and one that has buttons attached- you button, put the baby in and go. I tried them all, but I liked the one with the ring the best. I know there are sling classes around the city, I know that the 'Be By Baby' on Lincoln has one. Maybe check out a class and see what kind of wrap works well for you. :)
Blessings,
J.

We used a Moby wrap and we loved it. Our daughter loved it too. It is so comfortable and easy to use, and there are a number of different positions you can put the baby in.
www.mobywrap.com
I just looked at the sleepy wrap. They must be made by the same person/company because they look exactly the same!

Im also 5'2, and petite and I love my Ultimate Baby Wrap. It was really reasonably priced from Babies R Us and totally adjustable. It comes with a video to show you different ways to use it for babies and toddlers, and has a pouch on the front which holds my wallet cell phone and a bottle. Once my son learned to walk and hold hands he refused to go into it, but I use it with my 2wk old daily to run errands and to do stuff around the house. It's really comfortable, machine washable and holds a newborn really close to your chest, while providing excellent neck and head support. I even pull it closed while walking outside to keep the wind off her face. When my son was a baby I would wear him in movie theaters and it was really comfortable.

E.- where are you located? The Lake County Babywearers meets once a month. Everyone there brings all sorts of different wraps, pouches, slings, mei tais etc and will help you find one that works for you (and teach you how to use it). Check out the Yahoo group. There is a meeting this Friday.

ALSO- check out www.thebabywearer.com that site is indispensible for babywearing advice. there are even videos you can watch- comparison charts and sizing etc.

the one thing i would add about the comments below is that the moby wrap is good for a newborn, but you might find it less useful after about 6 weeks of age (depending on baby's size). it is too stretchy to wear much past newborn.

i love my pouches, and i have a didymos wrap. my boys are 17 months apart. i used to wear my newborn on my back while i took my firstborn to gymboree.

let me know if you have any questions

I am 5' 4", 118 lbs and love my peanut shell sling (size small fleece) that I use for my 9 month old. If you google Peanut Shell sling it will take you to the site called goo-ga.com or something similar to that....Get the fleece though because it is better than the cotton because it fits more snug. The fleece isn't heavy and won't be too hot for summer months...

I agree! I am also only 5'2" and had a Bjorn and a ring wrap with my first that was never comfortable, I got a Hotsling with my second and I love it!

I have a ring sling and I LOVE it! It's fully adjustable to fit your body (they have different sizes) and baby and keeps them close to you. Go to Be By Baby- they have all kinds of different options for slings and wraps and will fit you with the different styles so you can see which one works best for you. (They even have dolls that are weighted like real babies!) They are super helpful and nice, and definitely worth the trip there. Highly recommended! Here's the info:
Be By Baby
1654 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL
877/204-BABY

I'll put in another vote for Hotsling... there are different sizes to accomodate different women, and there are multiple positions you can use it in (newborn nursing carry, all the way through hip and back carry for toddlers.) Plus there aren't any annoying buckles or ties to worry about. Go to their website to find out the nearest location to buy them. They run between $40 and $65, depending on the style, but it's a great investment.

Hi E.,

At risk of tooting my own horn, I wanted to share with you that I make custom-made mei-tai baby carriers, which you can use with both infants and toddlers (I've carried 3 year olds in it as well as month olds!).

As it has been difficult for you to find something for your size, I would be able to work with you to create a perfect fit.

Anyhow, if you're interested, please check out my website at http://www.MamaMiaBaby.com

Thanks, and good luck!

Warmly,

~L.

Hi E. - I am opening a children's boutique in Lincoln Square (grand opening April 22). I carry a line of slings called Sproutpouch - very stylish, comfortable and come in all sizes. Check out their website www.sproutpouch.com - they have a sizing chart as well on there. If you would like to stop by and try them on feel free - 4654 N. Rockwell, Chicago, IL 60625. Good luck!

K.

Hi E.,
I actually make slings. I can make one for you that will fit your petite size specifically. I use fun beautiful funky fabrics that you choose or I can make it custom from fabric that you've purchased. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested. My email is ____@____.com

Thanks,
J. Fancher

Hello! I am not your size, but I wanted to let you know to look into the Moby Wrap. It would fit any size and it is so comfortable and I wear my son in it all of the time. Earlier a response said that it is good only for newborns. I wear my son in it constantly and he is five months old. It does not stretch too much and it is still so snug and secure, and I am completely hands free without worrying about him falling out. I love it so much and I will be wearing him in this for quite a while longer. It is a little intimidating to look at how to wrap it, but just follow the instructions and once you have done it a time or two it is no problem. It is soooooo... great! It is my favorite baby item we have. I have convinced my friends that they need one of these too when they see me put him in it and he immediately calms down and goes to sleep, or just sits there awake calm and content. Also look into the Ergo and the Babyhawk Mei Tai. Those two are great and I don't think your height or weight would matter on how these fit. They are also very comfortable, and I highly recommend those as well. I am finding that at different stages I will like different carriers. For example he is still in the Moby wrap now, but when he gets bigger, we will transition to the Ergo and Babyhawk. Blessings on your search.

You may want to call Be By Baby in Chicago. They sell a lot of slings and are very helpful. They may have some suggestions for you.

Hi there! Try the BABY BJORNs; summer weight ones are really really lightweight but will hold your son until he's about 40 lbs... if you can handle carrying him that long! Otherwise, with him being 20 months old, you may be needing to use your stroller more. We have had ALL of the Baby Bjorns in use,and would STILL be using them if our little ones were still little! GREAT for the new baby coming!!! TRY THEM, and read up on them... they're awesome. The other 'sling' types really strain and can injure your back, and that of your hub. or other person wearing or using them; AND the baby or child is NOT in a good position to breathe properly... check with your ped. on those. Really.

I can not say enough good things about my Hot Sling! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

I started using it when my baby was 3 days old and used it until she was 1.

She is not almost 19 months and she still fits in it!

They come in sizes and I think that is what makes them so great, they are not one size fits all.

E.,
I purchased a sleepy wrap. When I had my 2nd child. It is a long piece of fabric that has a ring at one end. I love it for my newborn, he started in it at only 8 lbs. My husband and I both wear this and it adjust to any body size because you wrap it yourself. We have used it outside and for walks. You can also use it when breastfeeding. It holds up to 35lbs. and can be used for the craddle position, facing out or in, on front or back. It is on sale at Babies R' Us. And here is the website if you want to read more about it:

http://www.sleepywrap.com/index.php?page=home

Hope this helps and good luck.

Lots of responses-WOW! Did not see anyone mention Slinglings. You measure from your shoulder to your hip so you get the right size. I really wish I had one for my first as it's adorable and fits right in my diaper bag.I also got one for my two year old to match!

Hello. I'm not your size, but the sling I used comes in different sizes. It's called "peanut shell"- I got it online, but don't know the site. Just google.

Good luck,
M.

I also found my hotsling comfortable. Although, there is no way I could sling my 20 month old with any sling. She is 27 or so pounds and way too tall. If you looking for the infant then check out the hotsling. They have great customer service too if you have any issues. hotslings.com Good Luck!

I would reccomend the moby wrap. It will fit a woman or man of any size. Both you and your husband can use it. It takes time to get used to the wrapping part of it, but once you get that part it can be done quickly and easily.

http://www.mobywrap.com/

http://www.mobywrap.com/t-instructions.aspx

I am a bit taller 5'3 and weign a bit over 100 pounds, but I got my sling at hotslings.com
They are made to order basically. You measure yourself and based on the measurements that is the size you would get. Hope that helps. I loved my sling, only mad that I waited until my 3rd baby to get one :)

I purchased one from slingling.com

I am 5'4 and 105lbs. I love it!!

I am taller than you but small (115 lbs 5'6") I used a regular sling when my babies were very small. Once they got to be about 4 months they were just too heavy for me. I switched to a Mai Tai carrier at that point and I love it. I still use it with my 18 month old.

I'm 5'2". I have two favorite slings.

I really love my Kangaroo Corner pouch. They have a very accurate measurements online, and on their fabric swatches they'll tell you if they're extra stretchy and should be ordered down a size. You can also email them for help. And they'll make custom orders too. And unlike hotslings, they have rows and rows of snaps to make it more adjustable depending on what you're wearing, and if your weight goes up/down (there can be a dramatic shift in the months after baby) I pop her completely inside that one sitting Indian-style. I don't use it for a hip carry unless she's wearing her fleece snow suit or thicker pants because I feel the binding digs into her legs a little.

For hip carry and dressing up/work, my favorite is a gorgeous silk ring sling from Zolo. It's not padded, but the fabric does not dig into her leg, and it's nearly infinitely adjustable. I also like that it the tail has a generous pocket that will hold lipstick/balm, credit cards, your cell phone, etc. And it's staggeringly beautiful. I plan to buy another lighter weight sling from them in linnen for summer.

I have an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, which I liked well enough for hip carry before I had the silk sling, but I find all the padding to just be too much. I'm keeping it for when my daugter gets heavier and I want to try back carry, because who knows what will work best for that.

My girl is 9 months now and we still use the slings every day to do chores and to go to and from daycare and work.

I am not petite, but tall and slim. I loved the Moby Wrap for baby #2. it's a huge long piece of fabric that wraps and wraps and is extremely versatile. It keeps the baby so snug and close, it's the most "secure" sling I've used (not that I'm an expert or have tried a lot of diff. kinds, tho). It was easy to put on once, wear during the day even when she wasn't in it. and it's super soft cotton.

I am now using the Maya Wrap most of the time, a typical ring-sling, once she started sitting on her own w/ good head/neck control. I find that one easiest to use for her to be in a "hip carry" type position.

My friend in Warrenville distributes both of these. You can meet her and try both of them on to see how you like them. Stacey M., her phone is ###-###-####

I'm not your size, but have you tried the Moby wrap? I'd also suggest a mei tai sling (mine is made by Baby Hawk). Also, the Hotsling comes in different sizes. There are 3 places that I can think of that you could go and try on numerous slings: "Be By Baby" in Chicago, "Stork's Cradle" in Wheaton, or "Gepetto's Toys" in Oakbrook. Good luck!

There is a website called ParentingConcepts.com. They will send you swatches in the mail and you can choose what pattern you like. I'm the mother of 6 and have used them with every baby. I send them as gifts to new moms too. There is nothing like it and it can be at your door in 3 days after you pick you pattern. I would think they have ones for petite too. I have used the sling till they were 4 yrs old...great for toddlers!!
J. H.

I used the Maya wrap as well. There are different sizes for different sized parents. I am 5'1" and 120 lbs. My dd is big (about 28 lbs at 15 months now), and it is difficult for me to carry her, but the wrap helps. When she started to walk (about 10 months), I started carrying her on my back with the wrap. She loves her piggy back rides! Good luck and congrats on your growing family!

Are you wanting this for your 20 month old son? I hope he's a peanut like my second child. Or I would have to suggest you make the boy walk. Hold his little hand and tell him that you have a baby in your tummy. My second child is 24 lbs soaking wet, but I still have to tell her that she must walk. It puts too much pressure on my HUGE belly to carry her.

If you are seeking this for the new one to come I apologize. Peppermint.com has some stylish ones that my sister-in-law likes. Mamasmilk.com has the kind a bunch of celebrities have used in the past...like Madonna and so forth. I don't believe she's very tall.

Congratulations!!! I have a Hotsling and really like it. It doesn't pull on me and baby fits nicely in it.

5 feet. 100 pounds.

Love the mobywrap. Wish I had it for my first one!